inches from her in his side pocket, was Irina's handkerchief.

Kapitoh'na Markovna went for a minute into the other room.

'Tanya . . .' said Litvinov, with an effort. It was the first time that day he had called her by that name.

She turned towards him.

'I ... I have something very important to say to you.'

'Oh! really? when? directly?'

'No, to-morrow.'

'Oh! to-morrow. Very well.'

Litvinov's soul was suddenly filled with boundless pity. He took Tatyana's hand and kissed it humbly, like a sinner; her heart throbbed faintly and she felt no happiness.

In the night, at two o'clock, Kapitolina Markovna, who was sleeping in the same room with her niece, suddenly lifted up her head and listened.

'Tanya,' she said, 'you are crying?'

Tatyana did not at once answer.

'No, aunt,' sounded her gentle voice, 'I 've caught a cold.'